WEBVTT WHEN BUSINESSES ARE READY SEEING THE EFFECT. AS OF 8:00 A.M. FRIDAY MORNING, THE SANTA FE NATIONAL FOREST WON’T BE A PLACE WE CAN VISIT FOR AWHILE. >> WE KNOW THE DISCLOSURE IMPACTS COMMUNITIES. BUT WE ARE IN THE PLACE WHERE WE HAVE TO DO THIS BECAUSE OF EXTREME FIRE DANGER. SHELLY: OFFICIALS WITH THE SANTA FE NATIONAL FOREST SAY, THEY’VE REPSONDED TO MORE THAN 120 CAMPFIRES OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS ACROSS THE FOREST. AND ON THE JEMEZ RANGER DISTRICT ALONE, THERE WERE 58 CAMP FIRES OVER THE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND -- WEEKEND. >> ANY OF US FIRES CAN CREATE CONDITIONS BUT THAT’S ROSETTA RESOURCE -- NOT ONLY THAT, IT STRETCHES OUR RESOURCES. SHELLY: AFTER A DISAPPOINTING WINTER SEASON, A LOCAL SPORTINGS GOODS STORE WAS HOPING FOR BETTER NEWS BUT UNDERSTANDS THE NEED FOR THE CLOSURE. >> IN EFFECT CLOWN -- IT AFFECTS TOWN CLOSURES AND IT IS A BUMMER FOR MANY.

As of 8 a.m Friday, the Santa Fe National Forest will be off-limits to visitors for awhile.

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“We know this closure impacts communities and folks that love to recreate in the forest, but we're in the place we have to go to this, because of the extreme fire danger,” Santa Fe National Forest Supervisor James Melonas said.

Officials said they've responded to more than 120 campfires over the last few weeks across the forest. In the Jemez Ranger District alone, there were 58 campfires over the Memorial Day weekend.

“Not only do those fires have the potential, any one of those, for conditions to create a large wildfire, but in addition to that, that really stretches our resources,” Melonas said.

After a disappointing winter season, a local sporting goods store was hoping for better news, but the owner understands the need for the closure.

"Not everyone is exactly smart out there; this will at least prevent any damage that could happen to the town or the mountains, but it's still a bummer,” Alpine Sports owner Shirlee Cole said.

Officials said they aren't sure when the forest will reopen for families, but a significant amount of rain is necessary before that can happen.